James Degale made history on Saturday evening becoming the first British Olympic champion to clinch a world title after winning a unanimous decision against Andre Dirrell in Boston.
It certainly opens up a lot of avenues for ‘Chunky’, so here are three of the most appealing and reasonable options that you should expect to see for the new IBF holder.
A first defense, but against who?
Gilberto Ramirez
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./RBRBoxing
It’s a tricky one for James DeGale, because potential world class opponents are limited for a first defense in late 2015. George Groves is fighting for the WBC strap against Badou Jack later in the year (date to be confirmed), and former owner of the IBF strap Carl Froch has already ruled himself out of a potential British blockbuster stating he can’t get motivated for the fight, with a summer showdown against devastating puncher Gennady Golovkin rumored to be in negotiations.
His promoter Eddie Hearn won’t want to take a big chance against someone like Andre Ward, if it means the possibility of wrecking a big domestic fight in 2016. He has already demonstrated this with stablemate Kell Brook, matching him with Jo Jo Dan in his first defense.
A first defense against Gilberto Ramirez (31-0, 24 KOs), a fighter with a good record who hasn’t fought anyone near DeGale’s standard might be the perfect justification for Hearn going forward.
A Rematch With George Groves
PA Photo
There is bitter rivalry between James DeGale and George Groves that has simmered and boiled over, with the two only happy to parade their detest for one another, and it’s believed that the bad blood emerged in the amateurs, when Groves beat DeGale.
In the professional game, Groves outpointed DeGale in a controversial, gusty 12 rounder. With Groves potentially on course to win a world title in his third attempt against Badou Jack later this year, a unification fight at a packed out 80,000 in Wembley would be enormous.
The fight would have to be made in 2016, and if Groves pulls through and Degale’s title is still intact, it would only be logical that the two resumed their bitter rivalry.
Middleweight Monster Gennady Golovkin
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
James DeGale has been vocal in wanting the fight against Gennady Golovkin, and has said he will meet the deadly knockout artist at a catch weight. It’s less likely than the other two options, but if Carl Froch decides to hang up his gloves, then the unwavering Kazakh would be more than ready to go to war with the Londoner.
But again, it’s the conservatism of Eddie Hearn and the possibility of losing the belt so early on that makes this matchup next to impossible.
It’s hard to pinpoint the next opponent for DeGale, but a routine first defense, followed by some mega world title fights in 2016 is the direction that Britain’s newly crowned world champion looks to be heading towards.
